Parathas are a type of Indian flatbread, similar in this sense to the perhaps better known naan and chapati but also very different, particularly in texture. Parathas are made with wholemeal flour and are rolled, folded and re-rolled in their preparation - in a similar way to puff pastry - to make the served bread layered and flaky. Known by a number of different names within India and the surrounding area, parathas are often stuffed/flavoured with a number of spices and/or vegetables but in the first instance, this page shows how to make a basic paratha as may be served in an Indian restaurant in the West. Serving suggestions and a couple of recipe variations follow further down the page.

Ingredients

Put the flour in to a large glass or stone mixing bowl and season with the salt. Add the oil, along with two tablespoons of cold water. Use your hands to mix the ingredients in to a dough.

Indian paratha dough

The dough is ready for dividing and rolling when it ceases to stick to your fingers. It should be moist but not wet. Different types of flour in particular, however, means that there is a possibility your dough may be a little bit too wet or dry. Should this be the case, add a very small amount of extra flour or water until you achieve the desired consistency.

Dough is separated for rolling individual parathas

Divide the dough in to two equal portions and roll between your palms in to balls. Each ball should be a little bit bigger in size than a golf ball.

How to Roll Paratha Dough

Rolling paratha dough

Lightly dust a clean, dry surface and a rolling pin with more wholemeal flour. Sit the first dough ball on the surface and roll out evenly until it is about the size of a saucer.

Rolled paratha dough is folded over on itself

Lift half the circle over the other to form a semi-circle as shown above.

Rolled paratha is folded a second time

Fold the dough a second time to form a quarter circle.

Folded paratha is re-rolled

Roll the dough out a second time - using a little bit more flour as and when required, though never too much or your dough will become too dry - to the same general size/thickness as before. The folding and re-rolling process should be repeated twice.

How to Cook Parathas

Vegetable oil is heated in non-stick frying pan

Parathas are traditionally cooked on tavas, which are heavy, cast iron pans commonly used in some forms of Asian cooking. The good news, however, is that they can be cooked perfectly well in a standard, Western, non-stick frying pan. It is important, however, that the pan be brought up to a very high heat, containing a little vegetable oil (about a tablespoon is more than sufficient) if the dough is to cook properly.

Paratha is fried in a hot frying pan

When you have rolled your dough out for the final time, it is likely it will have lost its perfectly round shape. You can cut it with a template, trim it with a knife, or fry it as it is, depending upon your preference. Do ensure however that it is of even thickness and can fit fully in to the base of your pan.

The parathas will take up to a couple of minutes each side. You will know it is ready for turning when it starts to blister significantly on the top. Flip it over and fry for a similar time on the second side.

Hot paratha is briefly drained on kitchen paper

When you take each paratha from the pan, sit it very briefly on some kitchen paper on a plate to drain off the excess oil. If they are not then going straight to a serving plate, keep them warm in a low oven.

Serving Suggestions for Indian Parathas

Indian paratha with spiced onions

This is a (double) slightly different take on the popular Indian restaurant starter/appetizer of spiced onions with poppadoms. Not only are the poppadoms replaced by a quartered paratha, this spiced onions recipe sees the onions prepared with a homemade tomato and pepper sauce, rather than the more frequently employed tomato ketchup.

Indian paratha with vegetable curry

Parathas are also an excellent accompaniment to an Indian main course and can be used to scoop up and eat curry, especially perhaps where rice is not served. This is a simple vegetable curry, served with a halved paratha.

Simple Paratha Variations

As well as being served as an accompaniment to a meal, parathas can also be served stuffed as a main dish in their own right. Potatoes are a common filling in such instances and this is a simple spicy potato recipe that is perfect for the purpose. The recipe also sees garlic and coriander/cilantro incorporated in the paratha.

2 peeled and grated garlic cloves, one for potato mix and one for paratha

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Black pepper

4 ounces wholemeal flour

2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus extra for frying

Little bit of butter

Instructions

Click thumbnail to view full-size

Chopped potatoes ready for boiling

Green chilli and coriander/cilantro

Cooked potatoes are chopped for salad

Combining spicy potato salad ingredients

Spicy potato salad

Coriander scattered on once rolled paratha dough

Coriander and garlic paratha is fried

Coriander and garlic paratha is buttered

Spicy potato salad is added to coriander and garlic paratha

Coriander and garlic paratha is folded over potato salad

The potato should be peeled and quartered. Although it is going to be more finely chopped at a later stage, if you cut it too small for boiling, the smaller pieces will soak up too much water and become soggy. Soak the pieces in cold water for ten minutes then drain, add to fresh water with some salt and bring to a simmer for fifteen to twenty minutes until just soft. Drain, return to the pot and allow to steam off for five minutes.

Combine the coriander, one of the garlic cloves, the chilli, yoghurt and turmeric in a mixing bowl. Chop the potato to roughly three-quarter inch pieces and stir/fold in to the mix. Season as necessary with salt and pepper.

The second garlic clove should be added to the dough mix for the parathas. When the parathas are rolled for the first time, a little coriander should be scattered over the top before each one is folded.

As soon as each paratha comes out of the frying pan, spread with a little butter (or ghee if you have it) before laying on a serving plate.

Spoon some of the potato salad on to half of each paratha, fold over and garnish with the last of the coriander to serve.

Chive Parathas with Turmeric and Garlic Dip

Freshly made, chive infused parathas are served with a turmeric and garlic yoghurt dip

Cook Time

Prep time: 10 min

Cook time: 5 min

Ready in: 15 min

Yields: One serving

Ingredients

3 tablespoons natural yoghurt

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 garlic clove, peeled and grated or crushed

Salt

4 ounces wholemeal flour

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus extra for frying

1 teaspoon chopped chives, plus extra to garnish dip

Instructions

Click thumbnail to view full-size

Turmeric and garlic dip ingredients

Preparing turmeric and garlic dip

Combining turmeric and garlic dip ingredients

Chopped chives are added to basic paratha dough ingredients

Chive paratha is fried as normal

Chive parathas are drained on kitchen paper

Turmeric and garlic dip is plated in a small ramekin

Stir the turmeric and garlic in to the yoghurt in a bowl. Season to taste with salt. Spoon in to a small ramekin and garnish with some chives.

The teaspoon of chives should be stirred in to the paratha dough ingredients before the paratha is rolled and cooked as normal.

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